Friday, Dec. 2, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson at (573)-751-0290 or Paul Sloca at (573)-751-9065
Blunt, Steinhoff Statement on Ford Hazelwood
Gov. Matt Blunt and Department of Economic Development Director Greg Steinhoff today issued the following statement on today's Wall Street Journal report indicating Ford Motor Co. plans to close its plant in Hazelwood:
"We have been in discussions with Ford over the last several months about the future of the Ford Hazelwood plant and we are committed to keeping the facility open. Earlier this year, we visited with Ford officials in Detroit seeking to discuss our willingness to play an important role in the company's future. While we understand that these are difficult times for the auto industry and are aware of Ford's previous decisions regarding the Hazelwood facility, we will continue working with company and local officials on behalf of Ford employees in Missouri. Our state has created more than 27,000 new jobs this year and companies like General Motors, Express Scripts and T-Mobile have reinvested in Missouri's working families because of our new direction for creating jobs and enhancing opportunity for all. For those reasons, we believe Missouri has much to offer our longtime partners at Ford and it is in that spirit that we will continue to work with the company in the days and weeks ahead."